1

Engineering Design Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

A Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a related field is required, with a Master ... Design Leadership * Manage and direct all phases of the design process, from concept to completion ...

Plans and manages design expenses to stay within budget. * Ensures Contract Engineering /Design Drafting Requests are completed and approved prior to initiating work and maintains tracking log.

The Design Manager is responsible for the technical demands of facilitating project design and ... Hosts Engineered Value sessions to optimize cost and materials. * Ensures project specifications ...

The Design Manager is responsible for the technical demands of facilitating project design and ... Hosts Engineered Value sessions to optimize cost and materials. * Ensures project specifications ...

Design Manager Description Balfour Beatty is seeking a Design Manager to join our team in Southern ... Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.

Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$170K - $185K/yr

Function as the lead design professional in the Design Department providing quality review ... Our team of construction management experts brings together expertise in construction, engineering ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Engineering Design Manager information

See California salary details

$51.8K

$132.7K

$204.8K

How much do engineering design manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for engineering design manager in California is $132,705.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,600.00 and $148,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Engineering Design Manager vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectEngineering Design ManagerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, often with management certificationsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering
Work EnvironmentLeads design teams, oversees projects, collaborates with cross-functional departmentsDesigns, analyzes, and tests mechanical systems, often working in labs or on-site
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and engineering firms for leadership rolesCommon in product design, manufacturing, and R&D sectors

The Engineering Design Manager focuses on leading design teams and managing projects, requiring leadership skills and project management experience. In contrast, Mechanical Engineers are involved in the technical design and analysis of mechanical systems. Both roles often require similar engineering credentials but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What does a design engineering manager do?

A design engineering manager oversees the development and execution of engineering designs, ensuring projects meet technical specifications, quality standards, and deadlines. They coordinate teams of engineers, review design work, and utilize CAD software, while also managing budgets and communicating with stakeholders.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Engineering Design Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Engineering Design Manager, you need a strong background in engineering principles, project management, and team leadership, typically supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering and relevant industry experience. Familiarity with CAD software, PLM systems, and certifications such as PMP or PE are commonly required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving skills, and the ability to inspire and coordinate multidisciplinary teams make someone stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering innovative design solutions, meeting project deadlines, and ensuring effective collaboration across the organization.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineering roles such as Software Engineering Managers, Data Engineering Managers, and certain specialized fields like Petroleum or Aerospace Engineering can reach or exceed $300,000 annually, especially with experience, advanced skills, and leadership responsibilities. High compensation often involves managerial duties, technical expertise, and working in high-demand industries or companies with competitive benefits.

What does an Engineering Design Manager do?

An Engineering Design Manager oversees the design process for engineering projects, coordinating teams of engineers and designers to ensure that project goals are met efficiently and effectively. They are responsible for planning, organizing, and reviewing design work, ensuring compliance with industry standards and client requirements. Additionally, they often liaise with clients, stakeholders, and other departments to align the design vision with project specifications and timelines. Their leadership is crucial in solving technical challenges and delivering innovative solutions within budget.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior engineering roles such as Director of Engineering or Vice President of Engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially in large tech companies or specialized fields like software, aerospace, or petroleum engineering. These positions typically require extensive experience, leadership skills, and advanced technical knowledge, often supplemented by advanced degrees and certifications.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineering roles such as Software Engineers, Petroleum Engineers, and Aerospace Engineers often have salaries reaching or exceeding $200,000 annually, especially with experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries. These positions typically require specialized knowledge, advanced degrees, and sometimes certifications, and may include bonuses or stock options that contribute to total compensation.

What are the main challenges an Engineering Design Manager faces when balancing project deadlines with innovation?

Engineering Design Managers often need to ensure that their teams deliver high-quality designs within tight project timelines while also encouraging creativity and innovation. One of the main challenges is managing stakeholder expectations and resource constraints, as pushing for innovative solutions can sometimes require more time and iterative testing. Effective communication, prioritization, and fostering a collaborative environment help address these challenges, ensuring that projects remain on schedule without stifling new ideas. Managers frequently coordinate between engineering teams, clients, and other departments to align goals and keep projects moving forward.

What Does an Engineering Design Manager Do?

The job duties of an engineering design manager include overseeing a team of engineers and CAD designers on engineering projects. In addition to providing leadership to staff, in this career, you manage the budget planning for each project, work with concept development, and ensure that plans meet company or client needs and engineering standards. You offer guidance throughout the design process and inspect and sign off on design plans to ensure that they meet quality standards. As a manager, you are also responsible for providing effective staffing strategies and workflow.

What job categories do people searching Engineering Design Manager jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Engineering Design Manager jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Engineering Design Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Engineering Design Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Engineering Design Manager job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,705 per year, or $63.8 per hour.
Supervisor Design Engineering

Supervisor Design Engineering

Valero Energy

Wilmington, CA • On-site

$100K - $138K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 24 days ago


Valero rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 70 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

50th of 75 rated oil and gas companies


Job description

Description
Valero is the best-in-class producer of essential fuels and products that are foundational to modern life. We invite you to join our ~10,000 employees to drive exceptional results for our company, the energy industry and our community.
As a Supervisor Design Engineering you will coordinate and conduct activities associated with providing design and drafting services to the Wilmington Refinery and Asphalt Plant. Incumbent will perform design and drafting services as well as develop work scopes, cost estimates and coordinate execution of projects assigned to provide cost effective design and drafting services for refinery projects.
At Valero, we are committed to advancing the future of energy through innovation, ingenuity and unmatched execution. You can help achieve this goal if you can:
  • Plans, schedules, and prioritizes design work and ensure that it is performed accurately, cost effectively, and in accordance with company standards. Supervises and coordinates the daily activities of the contract engineers, designers, and drafters.
  • Orchestrates engineering resource plan and manages design drafting backlog.
  • Interacts closely with Project engineers to ensure alignment with project engineering schedule milestones.
  • Leads development of cost estimates for engineering and design drafting man hours.
  • Ensures accuracy of man hour estimates and forecasts.
  • Plans and manages design expenses to stay within budget.
  • Ensures Contract Engineering /Design Drafting Requests are completed and approved prior to initiating work and maintains tracking log.
  • Ensures design compliance with company's PSM program, (Shell Standards, and local standards), provides MOCA documentation and monitors quality of drafting for the documentation process through the MOCA QAQC program.
  • Establishes bench mark data for selected engineering design deliverables.
  • Performs design work on critical projects requiring additional expertise as needed.
  • Performs squad checks on in-house design and drafting projects to ensure quality and accuracy of design and to minimize errors and changes in the field due to such errors.
  • Oversees the assignment and maintenance of refinery equipment numbers.
  • Provides design guidance to outside technical Consultants.
  • Develops and maintains company design procedures, standards and specifications.
  • Provides technical support to all drafting and design personnel; troubleshoots and maintains design department computer workstations and drafting design software.
  • Evaluates and keeps current software and hardware technologies that promote increased productivity from designers and draftsmen.
  • Oversees the maintenance of refinery drawing files, scanning and archiving systems and associated databases.

This position is salaried exempt status, which means you are not eligible for overtime pay.
The salary range for this position is $100,500 to $138,100 and represents Valero's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of expected compensation at the time of this posting. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of job-related factors, including but not limited to, the individual's qualifications and experience.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
  • High School diploma or GED required.
  • 8 years of piping design and drafting experience, including mechanical design and drafting experience or equal experience in Control systems required.
  • Proficient as an AutoCAD user required.
  • Able and willing to work on-site, in-person at the Valero Wilmington Refinery, required.

Preferred Requirements:
  • Associate's Degree in Drafting Technology preferred.
  • 3 years of AutoCAD Plant 3D or equivalent software experience preferred.
  • 1 year of SAP experience preferred
  • 1 year experience with 3D laser scanner technology preferred
  • Understanding of basic Process Controls preferred
  • Certificate Piping Design preferred
  • Certificate Control Systems Design preferred

Need more reasons to work for a company that is both professionally challenging and culturally rewarding? Take a look at some of our best-in-class benefits:
  • Competitive Pay and Annual Bonus Program
  • 100% match on 401(K) up to 7%, with immediate vesting
  • Company-sponsored Pension Plan
  • Comprehensive Healthcare and Wellness Program

Benefits described above are highlights only, subject to an employee's eligibility and work location.
Discover more about Wilmington and how we're making a difference there.
All successful candidates must be eligible to obtain a TWIC card (Transportation Worker Identification Credential). It is Valero's policy that employees must wear this card at all times while working at the refinery. Please review eligibility criteria at https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic.
Position level and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Valero's employees and team-focused culture drive our success. We're invested in our dedicated workforce through a comprehensive, customizable benefits package, while supporting a caring culture that delivers a rewarding work environment built on teamwork, excellence and career growth. To explore the ways we build a stronger team, visit Valero.com/Careers.
About the Wilmington Refinery
The Valero Wilmington Refinery was commissioned in 1969 and has had three major expansions to become a fully integrated refinery and several upgrades to meet clean-fuel standards. The Wilmington refinery processes a blend of California and foreign crude oil, as well as unfinished feedstocks from local and foreign sources. Given its coking and desulfurizing capabilities, it is particularly well-suited to process lower-cost heavy, high-sulfur crude oils and feedstocks. The refinery also produces 15 percent of the asphalt supply in southern California. Refined products are distributed from the Wilmington refinery through a network of third-party pipelines and terminals in southern California, Nevada and Arizona, and then on to wholesale and retail customers.
Valero will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.
Valero is an EEO Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected status, including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Please be advised, if you are viewing this position on a website that lists an estimated salary rate/range, it was not provided by Valero. Valero's market specific salary rate/range will be provided during the recruiting process and tends to be higher than what is estimated by such websites.
*LI-LP1

What Valero employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom